Nine men and women, two of whom are high-ranking officers of the infamous Hell's Angels have been charged in a conspiracy to distribute methamphetamine ("crank") and cocaine in San Francisco. The indictment, which was unsealed on Friday, also charges individuals with distribution, as well as possession with intent to distribute, methamphetamine and cocaine. Other charges include conspiracy to launder money and using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Agents from the Drug Enforcement Administration and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, along with officers with the San Francisco Police Department, and officers from numerous state and local law enforcement agencies in the Bay Area executed search warrants on 19 locations and seized approximately $70,000 in cash, over 4 pounds of methamphetamine, approximately one kilogram of cocaine, over 4 pounds of marijuana, numerous firearms, one hand grenade, several vehicles and a motorcycle.

Upon execution of those warrants, four additional individuals were arrested on probable cause on drug and weapons charges. In all, twelve suspects were arrested in the operation.

"U.S. Attorney Kevin V. Ryan stated, "This is a significant investigation which should disrupt the illegal trafficking of methamphetamine and cocaine by a number of alleged drug conspirators and distributors, including two members of the Hells Angels."

During the course of the investigation, agents made numerous seizures, including 50 kilograms of cocaine, over two kilograms of methamphetamine, and $75,000 in cash.

The investigation targeted a drug distribution network which included the President and Sergeant-at-Arms of the San Francisco Chapter of Hellís Angels. The FBI will continue to combat gangs and drug-related violence in our streets, and initiatives like the Safe Streets Task Force is one of many ways federal, state, and local law enforcement are working together to address these crime problems, according to a spokeman for the FBI.

Joseph Wilson, 35, of San Francisco, the President of the San Francisco Chapter of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club, is charged with 10 counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to launder money, and five counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Jason Peterson, 32, of San Francisco, an officer of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club, is charged with three counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to launder money, and one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Thomas Fitzgerald McKenzie, 42, of Livermore, is charged with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to launder money, and five counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Anthony Lamboy, 28, of Hayward, is charged with one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, and two counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Elizabeth Evans, 40, of Hayward, is charged with 10 counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, and three counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Maria Turney, 37, of San Francisco, is charged with two counts of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine and one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine.

Jason D. Thomas, 26, Livermore, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Bao Van Phung, 31, of Sacramento, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute cocaine, one count of conspiracy to launder money, and one count of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

Devon Williams, 29, of Clearlake, is charged with one count of conspiracy to distribute and possess with intent to distribute cocaine and methamphetamine, one count of distribution and possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, and two counts of using a telephone to facilitate a drug crime.

According to a search warrant affidavit unsealed Friday, a number of the alleged conspirators drive vehicles with paper license plates on their vehicles to thwart law enforcement attempts to identify the owner of the vehicle. The affidavit also alleges that the targets of this investigation commonly used coded language to describe their criminal activity.
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Jim Kouri, CPP is currently fifth vice-president of the National Association of Chiefs of Police. He's former chief at a New York City housing project in Washington Heights nicknamed "Crack City" by reporters covering the drug war in the 1980s. In addition, he served as director of public safety at a New Jersey university and director of security for a number of organizations. He's also served on the National Drug Task Force and trained police and security officers throughout the country. He writes for many police and crime magazines including Chief of Police, Police Times, The Narc Officer, Campus Law Enforcement Journal, and others. He's appeared as on-air commentator for over 100 TV and radio news and talk shows including Oprah, McLaughlin Report, CNN Headline News, MTV, Fox News, etc. His book Assume The Position is available at Amazon.Com, Booksamillion.com, and can be ordered at local bookstores. Kouri holds a bachelor of science in criminal justice and master of arts in public administration and he's a board certified protection professional.